In terms of human suffering/death, it's better to spread out the number of sick people over a longer period of time. There's a finite number of hospital beds an

In terms of human suffering/death, it's better to spread out the number of sick people over a longer period of time. There's a finite number of hospital beds and doctors, and you'll get better care if there are fewer other people sick at the same time. It's better for the economy, though, if everyone gets sick as soon as possible, so that everyone gets better at the same time and factories can spin back up.